How to find a regular evening dog-sitter?

[spidershavetoomanyknees]

This seems like one of these things people just know about, but I'm going round in circles on Google... help me out please!

So we're having a home check today, and potentially meeting the dog this weekend to see if we're a good match for adopting. However, we're starting a language class in a few weeks which means we'll both be out the house for about 3 hours every evening. I'm sure we could leave many adult dogs alone for 3 hours if they've had a meal and a walk, but with a rescue I'd rather someone was with her, just to be sure.

"Trusted Housesitters" seems to be for whole days, or overnight, or holidays at a time, but I can't access the site without setting up an account (which I don't want to do just yet as we may not match with this dog..!). Is there an option for a regular "Thursday evenings for a year" sort of situation?

Or should I be looking somewhere else to get someone in on such a regular basis? Dog walker? We just need an evening babysitter for the dog, basically!

Why don’t you get a dog walker to walk it in those 3 hours, so it won’t be alone so long ?

The Rover website / app sounds like exactly what you need. I've used it multiple times and have always been happy.

A dog walker might do it but be aware it won't be cheap.

I'm a dog walker myself and if the dog can't be left I'd be charging £15 an hour for something like this.

Take a look at Borrow My Doggy. My neighbour often has a dog she has borrowed for an evening, weekend or week.

Every evening for 3 hours? Would it not be best to wait till the class is over before thinking of getting a dog?

Local teenager /neighbours dc? My dd would happily sit glued to a ddog and a TV for 3 hours for a tenner!

@Plump82 it's once a week not every single day

@abbaroony looking at Rover now! Thank you

@Plump82 Just seen my typo on the first post! I meant to say "every Thursday evening"... although imagine how much we could learn for three hours every single day! 😂

Be careful with Rover - not everyone on there is properly insured.

I really think a local dog walker would be your best bet. It won't be the cheapest option, but they're insured, knowledgeable and will be able to work with what the rescue dog needs. A local teen or a random person from borrow my doggy or other sites is likely to want to fuss the dog, which might not be great for a rescue who is settling into a new home.

Might work out cheaper and easier for you and your dp/dh to do separate classes - you stay home thurs while they do their class then you do a Tues class or whatever

Given you won't actually know your dog well by the time you're thinking of starting this arrangement I agree with others that you need someone with professional experience and insurance. Ideally it would need to be the same person each week if it's a long term commitment otherwise it could get very overwhelming for the dog.

I'd definitely contact some dog walkers and see if any have space for a regular weekly arrangement a local teen or random person from rover is a bad idea.

Rover app

Also agree a dog walker who is experienced with dogs is your best bet, but at night it might be expensive as it will be a 1-1 walk. I would not consider a local teen as an option at all with an unknown rescue dog, too risky for the teen.

Dogs, especially rescue dogs are a huge commitment. I would seriously have it in the back of your mind that one of you might need to postpone language classes if the dog is finding settling in difficult.

Legally in the UK dog walkers and sitters do not need to be insured

Only licenced boarders and daycare have to have insurance and regulation .

In a dog sitter you should ask for insurance and proof of canine first aid ideally - but it isn't legally required .

Tbh I would postpone the class until next term when the dog will be more settled.

I used to do some occasional afternoon/ evening dog-sitting. I mostly worked as a cat-sitter, so usually visited pets at their home once or twice-daily. A regular booking like this would have fit in well with this.

I was insured and got a lot of work through websites like Cat In A Flat, etc.

Yes it would seem a better idea. New dog, new surroundings different faces. You need to give a rescue absolute consistency until they are 100% settled.

I should say the rescue is fine with the idea of us having a dog sitter for the class this soon so long as it's the same person (just spoke with them on the home cbeck), but I definitely hear you with the concerns about settling in and keeping things as low-key as we can.

A dog walker will do this for you.

Postpone the class for one of you. By the next course unless the dog has terrible SA or is under 18 months/2 years they should be fine left for that time.

A sitter needs to be someone insured and experienced, though, not some random teen or person on Rover.

It won't be cheap - you're probably looking at a minimum of £45 per evening for solo, constant care.

I did wonder 😂

Insured ddog sitter to sit in the dog's own home? Bit ott?